April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. In honor of our planet and the initiatives to minimize the world’s carbon footprint, we invite you to understand how recyclable materials play a part in fighting the pandemic crisis. We invite you to Rediscover Recycling, it’s essential.
It’s Essential
On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we are calling attention to the planet we live on and the importance of recycling efforts that reduce pollution and in turn, allow for natural resources to be better conserved.
Recycling reduces material placed into landfill and entering our oceans. Recycling also reduces greenhouse gasses that enter the atmosphere. Each one of us can lead by example, and through our actions bring about meaningful change that begins in our homes and extends to our towns, cities, forests and oceans.
Recycling is helping in the fight against COVID-19. That’s because recycled metal, paper, plastics and other commodity‐grade materials feed critical U.S. manufacturing operations. Those in turn are producing the rebar, wiring, tubing, transportation, packaging and other key materials needed for everything from construction of hospitals to the manufacture of new hospital beds, ventilators, toilet paper and other essential supplies. Recycling is both essential to the health of the planet – and to the health of individuals.
Recycling is essential to so many positive outcomes, and it depends on all of us doing our part not only on Earth Day, but every day of the year.
Recycling works better when we all do it correctly.
- Rinse plastics when recycling, try not to leave any food or residue in the containers - Paper products should be free of plastic materials such as tape - Some materials are not recyclable so not including them in the bins saves time and energy. Check with your local municipality to determine what materials are acceptable for recycling. - Follow your local health guidelines to ensure your safety during the COVID-19 crisis but consider participating in a local cleanup effort.
Aluminum If all the aluminum scrap possessed in the United States were used to solely make soda cans, the lined-up cans would stretch 25 million miles - the distance from Earth to Venus.
Plastic Recycling a plastic bottle can conserve enough energy to light a 60-watt bulb for 6 hours, power a computer for 30 minutes, or power a television for 20 minutes.
Electronics One metric ton of electric scrap from personal computers contains more gold than that recovered from 17 tons of gold ore.
Paper Recovering 1 ton of paper saves 7,000 gallons of water.
Mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on social media by showcasing the industry with these suggested posts and graphics. Additional resources can be found in ISRI’s 2020 Earth Day Toolkit. Be sure to tag ISRI so we can share your posts! Happy Earth Day. Twitter Posts
- Love your Mother Earth, celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day 2020 #RediscoverRecycling (Tweet This)
- Recycling reduces waste, saves natural resources and reduces pollution, celebrate Earth Day 2020 and #RediscoverRecycling (Tweet This)
- Every day is Earth Day when we live here, make it special by recycling materials thoughtfully #RediscoverRecycling (Tweet This)
- Choose a lifestyle that is more sustainable and earth friendly, happy 50th Earth Day 2020 #RediscoverRecycling (Tweet This)
- Recycling allows for the efficient production of goods that help fight the current pandemic. #RediscoverRecycling (Tweet This)